Attachment for motion-picture machines.



0. 0. DANIEL. ATTACHMENT FOR MOTION ICTURE MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED M AR. 24.1915- Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

[SHEETS-SHEET l.

- D D. DANIEL.

ATTACHMENT FOR MOTION PICTURE MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24, 1915.

1,168,607] Patented Jan.18, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

SWAN/WM TJU-DAN IEL a citizen of the United States, residing at STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DOSSEY D. DA NIEL, 0F RICHMOND, VIRGINIA,"ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO I HAYNES, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

CHARIEES B.

, arrncnmnnr 'ron morron-rrorunn MACHINES.

To' all whom'z't may concern i Be it known that I, Dossnr D. DANIEL,

Richmond, inv the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented certam new and .useful'Improvements in Attachments for -Motion-Picture Machines, of which the following is a specificatiomref;

erence being had to the accompanying drawin s.

%his invention comprehends certain new anduseful lmprovements in motion picture machlnes, and relates particularly to ma- .chines of the electric motor driven'type.

The invention has for one of its principal objects improved means for making machines ofthis character entirely safe from thedanger of fire,;the parts being so constructed and arranged that immediately upon the stopping or breaking of the film the motor .circuit, will be automatically opened and the machine stopped. A further object of the invention is an apparatus of this character hich is capable of being easily applied to any of the conventional or other forms of motion picture machines, without altering the same in any way, and without detracting from the efficiency of the machine. A still further object of the invention is an apparatus of this'kind which will not only possess to a high degree the character-,

., istics of safety, but it willalso protect the film' and: serve to a'large degree to prevent injury to the same as well as topreclude the possibility of the film-piling up on the machine. I The invention'has for anotherobject, in an apparatus of this kind, an improved construction and arrangement of parts which will not only operate automatically to open the motor circuit upon the stopping or I which will serve-to instantlfy generally improve devices of this character so as to render .themmore safe, .more eco- '-breaking of the film,- but which will also at the same time shut off thelightl'and simultaneously be capable of sounding an alarm or of performing other operations apprise the operator of the sto ping o the machine by the shutting off 0 the current, and other? wise protecting the occupants of the theater .or other place where the machine? is installed. And the invention also aims to nomical the use ofthe film, and more Specification of Letters Patent. Application and March 24, 1915. Serial No. 18,701.

generally desirable from a commercial standpoint.

With these and other objects in view, as will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain constructions, arrangements and combinations of the'parts that I shall hereinafter more fully describe and claim.

For a full understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to .Figure 1 is a side. elevation illustrating one application of my invention. Fig. 2 (Sheet 2) is a side elevation of the Fig. 3 isa' sectional view -on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 (Sheet 1) is a horizontal section on the line 44 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 (Sheet 2) is a perspective view on a reduced scale, in the nature of a diagram.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in all ofthe views of the accompanyinga drawing by like reference characters.

eferring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the supporting frame or bracket of my improved apparatus, the same being of any desired construction, shape, size or'design, just so long as it is capable of supporting and properly maintaining operatmg elements, the frame in the present invention being illustrated as embodying a base plate 2, a relatively short side or stand- 'ard 3, and a relatively long or high side or standard 4, these parts being preferably integrally formed out of sheet metal or the like. Journaled in suitable hearings in the juxtaposition to the loop 7 of the filin, which.

depends from the intermittent roller or'element 8 of the film feeding apparatus and the draw roller 9 next in the series, and the roller 6" is disposed underneath and incontact with the 'film as it passes from Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

the following de scr ptlon and accompanying drawings, in

device. I

the roller 9 down into the magazine 10.

g mascot The purpose of these rollers will be hereinafter more fully described.

Cams 11 and 12 are mounted upon the shafts 5 and 6 on the end opposite the arms 5' and 6 and preferably on the outer face of the relatively long standard 4:, said cams being disposed in contact with rocker arms 13 and 14 that are pivotally mounted intermediate of their ends on the outer side of said standard. The arms 13 and 14 are operatively connected together in any desired way, as for example, by forming one of these arms with a recess 15 which receives the adjoining end 16 of the other arm, wherebyathe bars will work simultaneously for their required purpose upon the operative movement of either of the two cams above referred to. 17 designates a trip arm, this arm in the present instance being pivotally connected at its lower end, as at 18, to the arm 14 and extending upwardly therefrom on the outer side of the standard 4, said trip arm 17 beingmounted for a reciprocating movement in a vertical direction and being preferably guided near its upper end in a strap 19 or the like. The upper extremity of the trip arm 17 is designed for engagement with a keeper 20 which, in the present instance, is in the form of a plate adapted to be slipped over the switch arm 21 and secured thereto by a set screw, the keeper 20 being also formed with an opening 22 designed to receive the upper preferably beveled extremity of the trip arm 17 when the keeper 2( protrudes through a transversely extending slot 23 formed in the standard 4 near the upper end of the latter, as clearly illustrated in the drawings. i

The switch arm or lever 21 is fulcrumed at its lower end on the inner face of the standard 4, and a spring 24.- exerts its tension upon the switch lever to swing it inwardly away from the adjoining face of the standard 4, whereby it will carry its contact bar 25 out of engagement with the contact plates 26 to which the motor leads 27 are connected When the circuit is closed the bar 25 bridges the contacts 26 but when the latch 17 is drawn downwardly out of the opening 22 in the keeper, 20, the keeper is immediately released and the spring 24 is permitted to act to move the switch lever 21 to its inoperative position and open the circuit. The movement of the switch lever in this direction is limited in any desired way as, for example, by a stop arm 28.

In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus, a shutter or shield 29 is carried by an arm 30 projecting from the switch lever 21, whereby when the latter moves to its inoperative position to open the circuit, this shield will be carried to a position to shut off the li ht. Preferably, the shaft 6 is encircled by a .spring 31, the tension of which may be varied by a set collar 32, whereby this shaft will be positively and quickly actuated.

From the foregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawings, the operation of my improved apparatus will be apparent. In the practical use of the device, should the film stop from any cause, it is obvious that the slack 7 will be instantly drawn out of the film and the latter will engage the roller 5 with comparatively great force and instantlyswing the arm 5 in a direction to so turn the shaft 5 so that its cam 11 will rock the arms 13 and 11 and cause the same to pull down upon the trip arm 17, whereupon the upper end of said trip arm will be drawn out of, the opening 22 in the keeper 20 and the switch lever 21 will be instantly and automatically moved to its outer inoperative position to open the motor circuit and bring the machine to a standstill. If, again, the film breaks at any point whatever, it is obvious'that just as soon as the broken portion reaches the roller 6 the arm 6' will be moved in a direction to turn the shaft 6 to cause the cam 12 to operate the arm 14, and in a corresponding manner draw the trip arm 17 downwardly to release the switch lever. Thus, it will be seen that these two operations are entirely independent of each other.. That is to say, neither of them will interfere with the other in any way, and no matter whether the film is stopped from any cause whatsoever or breaks, instantly the trip arm will be moved downwardly and the switch lever released so' as to open the motor circuit and bring the machine to a standstill.

\ It is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the precise construction and arrangements of the parts hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but that the shafts 5 and 6 may be reversed if desired, that is, either one may be used lIfCOIIGlfltlOIPWltlI the loop 7 and the other with that portion of the film which extends down. from the roller 9 into the magazine 10 and it is also to be understood that various other changes may be made in the construction, arrangements and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Preferably the switch arm 21 is grounded to the frame 1 and is so arranged that when it is moved to a position to open the motor circuit, it will close an electrical circuit comprising leads 33, which may extend to an electric bell 34 to sound an alarm or to any other apparatus desired as, for example, electrical means for instantly lighting the room or for any other purpose whichwill tend to promote the safety of the device. It is, of course, to be understood that one of the leads 33 is electrically connected to the arm switch lever so that just as soon as the lever contacts with said arm or bell or similar electrical device the circuit is closed.

In order to restore the parts to working condition, I preferably employ a contractlle spring 35 connected, for example, to the arm 14 at one end and at its other end to the standard 4, this spring operating in an evident manner.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided a very simple, durable and efficient apparatus for the purpose hereinbefore described, which will not only serve as a safety appliance for the machine and prote'ct the film as set forth at the outset of the specification, but which will also work to open the motor circuit if the take up in the magazine or other portion of the film feeding ap paratus should fail to work. v No matter what may happen tothe film whereby it might be stopped or disrupted in any way, my apparatus will instantly operate to open the motor circuit and preferably also sound the alarm or operate some other electrical appliance which will conduce to the safety of the room or other place where the ma chine emhcdying my invention is installed.-

What is claimed, is:

1. The combination with a motor driven motion picture machine and the film thereof, of means for, automatically opening the motor circuit upon the stopplng or breaking of the film, said means comprising rollers arranged respectively near the slack portion of the film and in contact with a taut portion thereof, a switch arm, means tending to move the switch arm to open circuit position,

means for holding the switch arm 1n closed circuit position, an operative connection between said rollers, and releasing means arranged to release. said holding means upon the changing of the slack portion of the "filmtoa taut portion. and the breaking of the film respectively, said releasing means being controlled by said rollers.

2. An attachment for motion. picture machines comprising a support, independently movable shafts mounted therein, .arms carried by the respective shafts, and arranged respectively to be operated by thestoppmg I or breaking of the film, a switch arm, means tending to move the switch arm to aposition to open the circuit of the motor of the machine, a trip arm engageable with the switch arm to hold the same against such movement, and operative connections between said shafts and said trip arm. 7

3. An attachment for motion picture machines comprislng a support, independently movable shafts mounted therein, .armscarried by the respective shafts and arranged respectively to be operated by the stopping of the film and the breaking thereof, a switch arm, means tending to move the switch arm to a position to open the circuit of the motor of the machine, a trip arm engageable with the switch arm-to hold the same against such movement, arms pivotally mounted upon the support and arranged for simultaneous operation, a connection between one. of said carried by the respective shafts and engageable with said pivoted arms, for the purposespecified. p

f1. An attachment for motor 'driven motion picture machines, comprising a support, shafts ournaIed 1n sald support, arms carried by the respective shafts and arranged in JHXtaPOSItlOII to the'film of the machine,

- pivoted arms and the trip arm, and means said arms being adapted to be moved upon the stopping or breaking of the film, arms plv'otally mounted on sald support and arranged for simultaneous operation, means carried by said shaftsv and engaging with.

tion picture machines, comprising a support, independently movable shafts mounted in said support and arranged to be turned by the stopping or breaking of the film, a.

switch arm, means tending to move the switch arm to a positlon to open the motor c1rcu1t, a keeper carried by sald switch arm a slot through which the keeper is adapted to protrude, a trlp arm movable longitudinally on the support and engageable in the opening of the keeper to hold the switch arm in a position to maintain the circuit closed, and operative connections between said trip arms and the shafts whereby upon the'turning of either of the shafts the trip arm will be moved out of the opening in the keeper and permit the switch arm to open,

6. An attachment for motor driven mo-' tionpicture machines, --comprisinga support, independently movable shafts mounted therein, one of said shafts being spring actuated, arms carried by the respective shafts, rollers carried by said arms and designed for contact with the film whereby the arms will be moved and the shafts turned upon the stopping or breaking of the and provided with an opening extending 5 therethrough, the support being formed with tor. circuit, a keeper carried by the switch arm and havlng an opening formed therein,

the support being formed with a slot through which the keeper is adapted to protrude,.'a

tr p arm movable longitudinally on thesupport and engageable at one end in said opening to hold the switch arm in a position to maintain the circuit closed, arms pivotally mounted upon the support, one of said arms being formed with a recess in one end, the adjoining end of the other arm being mounted in said recess whereby the movement of one of the pivoted arms will 8. An attachment for motor driven mot1on picture machines including a switch arm controlllng a motor clrcuit, means tending to normally move the switch arm to open circuit position, means adapted to hold the switch arm in closed circuit position against the action of the first mentioned means, a movable member adapted to be disposed in juxtaposition to the slack portion of the film, a movable member adapted to engage with the taut portion of the film, and an operative mechanical connection between the movable members and the holding means, whereby said movable members control the releasing of said holding means.

9. An attachment for motor driven motion picture machines including substantially movable members mounted for actuation upon the stopping or breaking of the film, a switch arm controlling the motor circuit of the machine, means tending to normally mecca? maintain the arm in open circuit position, a trip for holding the arm in closed circuit position, and means operatively connecting the trip and the said independently movable members, whereby the movement of said movable members will release the trip.

10. An attachment for motor driven motion picture machines including independently movable members mounted for actuation upon the stopping or breaking of the film, a switch arm controlling the motor circuit of the machine, means tending to normally maintain the arm in open circuit position, a shutter carried by and movable with the switch arm, said shutter being disposed to screen the switch arm when the arm is in open switch position and being disposed in inoperative position when the switch arm is in closed circuit position, a trip for holding the arm in closed circuit position, and means operatively connecting the trip and the said independently mov able members, whereby the movement of said movable members will release the trip.

11. The combination with a motor driven motion picture machine and the film thereof, of a switch arm controlling the motor circuit, means for automatically moving the switch arm to open circuit position upon the stopping or breaking of the film, and a shutter carried by and movable with said switch arm, said shutter being disposed in position to screen the film when the switch arm is in open circuit position and being inoperative, with respect to the film when the switch arm is in closed circuit position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

DOSSEY D. DANIEL.

Witnesses:

D. W. GALL, FREDERICK S. S'rrr'r. 

